Gu Kaiyuan did not know what happened after he left, and even if he did, he wouldn’t care much about it.

He did not return directly to the third house but turned and left the mansion with Lin Hua and Lin Wei.

Over the years, while managing the Gu Mansion’s businesses, he had also acquired some private assets, unknown to outsiders, which had to be converted into cash as quickly as possible.

"Third Young Master, where are we going?" Lin Hua’s inquiry came as soon as Gu Kaiyuan boarded the carriage.

"Let’s go to the bookshop first," Gu Kaiyuan instructed, then sat back in the carriage and closed his eyes to rest.

His mother always said that he was mischievous since childhood and not cut out for studying, little knowing that her seemingly least promising son had opened several bookshops, from which famous storybooks were distributed nationwide.

In his previous life, he relied on these bookshops to contend with the Third Prince for so long, if not for those who betrayed from within...

"We’re here, Third Young Master," the nearest shop to the Gu Mansion was also the headquarters of several bookshop branches, making management more convenient.

When the manager inside saw Gu Kaiyuan, he did not greet him in but turned and walked towards the backyard.

Upon entering the shop, Gu Kaiyuan started browsing books, using the bookshelves as cover to turn and head into the backyard as well.

"Master, you’ve come." Manager Mu had already set the tea. The master rarely visited, so his sudden appearance signaled something important.

"I have some instructions to give, call over the managers of the shops in the capital."

Gu Kaiyuan issued the command as soon as he started speaking, "I’ll be back in an hour."

He finished speaking, took a couple of gulps of water, returned to the shop, grabbed two books at random, tossed a silver note, and left straight away.

Gu Kaiyuan then headed to the tavern. It was here that he had purchased some brewing recipes while traveling; business at the tavern was indeed thriving, with many people coming and going.

After a glance at the counter, Gu Kaiyuan asked the shopkeeper for a private room, and soon a waiter came to guide him.

"Gather all available cash from the shop, leaving only enough for operations, and I’ll take the rest."

As soon as Manager Chen entered, Gu Kaiyuan gave the instruction. In their previous life, these two managers were loyal to him. Because they had renewed their household registrations, they were not under his name and were not confiscated.

Even if the Gu Mansion fell into disasters, these two managers diligently managed the affairs. However, the managers of the other shops weren’t as loyal.

Without asking further questions, Manager Chen left to attend to the task, not forgetting to order a good spread of food and wine from the waiter.

As soon as the food arrived, Manager Cheng also came in with the account books and silver notes.

"I won’t hide it from you, the Gu Mansion is about to face a disaster and may not be able to stay in the capital.

If you wish to leave, you can hand over your responsibilities in the next few days.

Subsequently, I will send over your indentures."

Gu Kaiyuan did not want to go through the anxiety and desperate struggle like the last time; by the time he returned, Manager Chen’s health had also deteriorated.

"Master, you saved my insignificant life. As long as you don’t abandon me, I am willing to follow you always."

Gu Kaiyuan gave him a deep look, "Then I’ll entrust this tavern to you. When I return once more, I will not treat you unfairly."

"I will not betray the master’s trust," Manager Chen replied with firm eyes. His current life, as well as being able to secure a place in the capital for his family, was all because of his master; he could never commit an act of betrayal.

"In that case, very well," Gu Kaiyuan nodded, "If anything arises, I will let Lin Hua and Lin Wei contact you, trust no one else but them."

After giving more instructions, Gu Kaiyuan returned to the bookshop.

Manager Mu had already gathered the other shop managers, who were waiting respectfully in the backyard.

Looking at these managers, some of whom had harbored different intentions when the Gu Mansion was declining, only to be taken care of by him eventually.

He’s not ready to deal with such people now since there is no suitable replacement to take over.

This time around, he is prepared and will have someone monitoring them.

Similarly, he instructed them to collect all the cash on the accounts and issued further instructions.

Hearing about the impending trouble for the Gu Mansion, some managers instantly showed different expressions.

But their indentures were held by the master, and no matter how anxious they felt, there was nothing they could do.

In contrast, Manager Mu silently noted these people, intending to keep an eye on them for the master in the future.

Gu Kaiyuan said, "Though our Gu Mansion is in trouble, it’s not a death penalty. If anyone dares to harbor betrayal, don’t blame me for being ruthless at that time.

I may leave the capital for a while, but I will have someone watch over you, so do not do anything you’ll deeply regret."

"We wouldn’t dare!"

The managers all pledged their loyalty. Offending the master now would result in being sold off first, leading to a more tragic outcome.

"Rest assured, as long as you work diligently for me, I will not mistreat you..."

Having intimidated this group, he arranged to come back for the silver notes the next day, grabbed another book, then left.

Returning to the mansion with a few books, someone soon relayed the news to the main courtyard.

Xu Huizhen coldly chuckled upon hearing it, "Thinking that knowing a few words and reading storybooks makes one a scholar.

What use are those, they’re simply a waste of time.

If his mind was half as sharp as his two elder brothers’, I wouldn’t dislike him so much."

Xu Huizhen didn’t want to bring up this unfilial son again and turned to ask Nanny Zhou, "What’s happening with Yu Lan? What did the mansion physician say?"

"The mansion physician is also unsure, suspecting that Second Young Madam might have eaten something bad, and advises rest and a light diet."

Nanny Zhou reported, mentioning that the Second Young Madam had suddenly developed stomach pains and was now bedridden.

The illness struck suddenly, and the mansion physician couldn’t provide a specific diagnosis, "However, he suggested perhaps inviting an outside doctor for a second opinion to prevent delaying Second Madam’s condition."

"What’s the use of keeping him if he can’t even handle a minor ailment?" Xu Huizhen said angrily, "Have you checked, what does Yu Lan herself say?"

"The Third Young Madam said there’s no need to bother with it; she might have overindulged and will recover after some rest."

"Then instruct to take good care of her, and report immediately if anything happens."

"I will instruct someone right away," Nanny Zhou responded.

"Do you think Yu Lan’s illness is feigned?" Xu Huizhen closed her eyes, suddenly posing this question.

Nanny Zhou hesitated, "I do not know, nor dare I speculate."

This was a matter of clashes between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, where as a servant, she dared not meddle.

She had personally gone over before and felt that the old madam’s suspicion was correct.

Considering the generous gifts brought by Mrs. Bai, the underlying intentions became all too clear.

However, the old madam also received an entire set of headwear; could she still be eyeing the little bit that the Second Young Madam had?

"Hmph! So it was all to push it onto me," Xu Huizhen snorted coldly, then looked at Nanny Zhou’s golden hairpin, gesturing for her to leave.

After exiting the courtyard, Nanny Zhou’s smile faded as she touched the golden hairpin with some regret, wondering why she had such a lapse in judgment to wear it out?

Instructing one of the maids to take good care of matters, she returned to her quarters and reluctantly removed the golden hairpin.